Morocco joins five Arab nations in backing Infantino amid FIFA leadership row

Morocco has joined five other Arab countries in reaffirming their support for FIFA president Gianni Infantino, despite growing criticism of his leadership from some of the game’s major governing bodies.

The football federations of Morocco, Egypt, Qatar, Lebanon, Sudan and Mauritania issued a joint statement expressing their confidence in Infantino and his leadership of world football.

“Recognizing the important role of Arab football in bringing people together and strengthening cooperation among football associations across the Arab world, we … express our full support for Mr Gianni Infantino, president of FIFA, and reaffirm our confidence in his leadership and continued commitment to the development of football worldwide,” the statement reads.

Arab federations defend FIFA president

The six federations said they valued Infantino’s contribution to the global development of football and pledged to maintain close cooperation with him.

“We deeply appreciate Mr Infantino’s sustained efforts to advance football globally, expand opportunities across all regions and strengthen the game’s role in bringing people and communities together,” the heads of the Arab football federations said.

Morocco’s Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), led by president Fouzi Lekjaa, was among those endorsing the statement.

The six countries’ backing comes as Infantino faces scrutiny over a private investment plan that reports have described as having failed.

Major confederations challenge Infantino

UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and CONCACAF have taken a contrasting position, calling for Infantino to step down.

The three confederations have criticised his reported plan to sell an interest in the World Cup, describing it as a “fundamental breach of trust.”

In a recent letter, they also issued a wider criticism of how leadership within football should be exercised.

“Leadership in football is not a possession… It is not about holding – or demanding – power to be held. It is a duty of service to the football family that entrusts it. When trust is broken through deception, when an individual places himself above the collective that entrusted him with authority, that duty has been abandoned,” the three associations said.

The opposing positions highlight the growing divide within international football over Infantino’s leadership as the next FIFA presidential election approaches.

Morocco already backing re-election

Morocco’s latest show of support is consistent with its previous position on Infantino’s future.

In May, the FRMF said it was happy to propose Infantino’s candidacy for the FIFA presidential election, which is scheduled for March 2027.

The Moroccan federation also made clear that it would exclusively support the Italian-Swiss official in the election.

With Morocco and five other Arab federations now publicly reaffirming their confidence in Infantino, the FIFA president continues to retain important support in the Arab football world despite the growing criticism from UEFA, AFC and CONCA